As the nation’s oldest technological university, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in upstate New York has a rightfully deserved reputation in the science and engineering world, having led tens of thousands of bright minds to look at “innovation and the future.”

A Rensselaer education is challenging, interactive, and highly relevant. Students immerse themselves in course work that combines theory with learning by experience in unparalleled facilities, using advanced technology. ​Our comprehensive educational and research programs cut across academic disciplines, giving students the opportunity to learn and to grow into world leaders in their chosen fields. Students are encouraged to work in interdisciplinary programs that allow them to combine scholarly work from several departments or schools.

The professors at RPI are “passionate about teaching,” “very accessible, and really there for the students.” Everyone agrees that RPI is just the right size: “The kind of size where you don’t know everybody but you see ten people you know as you walk across campus (and it only takes ten minutes to walk across campus).”

Academics are definitely an important priority here, but “extracurricular activities are balanced alongside the classes, labs, homework, and studying.” There are hundreds of clubs on campus and “most people are involved in several.” There are always campus events that students can attend, which range from “athletic events and cultural programs to student ensemble concerts and open mic shows.” Downtown Troy has some “quaint cafes and places to explore,” Albany has shopping malls, parks, and movie theaters, and a ski trip to Lake Placid is easily accomplished.

Rensselaer has two Division I and 21 Division III varsity intercollegiate teams. The men’s and women’s ice hockey teams compete at the Division I level in ECAC Hockey. In three sports, Rensselaer also fields junior varsity teams. Rensselaer is a member of the NCAA, the ECAC, and the Liberty League.

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institutewebsite: http://www.rpi.edu/​​​​Click here to read more about the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute​in The Princeton Review. (You may need to log in or create a free Princeton Review account to view.)

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These college profiles are adapted from The Princeton Review's Best 379 Colleges Guide. This guide provides narrative descriptions of schools' academics, student body, and campus life, in addition to other general information. To view these details, you must create a free Princeton Review account.